The First Ladies Club Box Set

by J B Hawker

  The two were laughing when Eskaletha opened the door.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked.

  “Oh, Olivette just caught me in a ‘Bunny moment’, I’m afraid.”

  “Eskaletha, you won’t believe what this woman can do. How do you stay so loose, Bunny?” Olivette asked.

  “I started doing yoga a few years ago. But I’m a little embarrassed you saw me taking advantage of my limber legs,” Bunny said.

  “Now, I’m really curious. Come on in, you two, and you can explain to everyone at once,” Eskaletha teased.

  “What’s in your big gift box, Bunny?” Judy asked when Bunny dropped her small presents on the display table and set the large box on the floor beside it.

  “Naidenne isn’t here, yet, is she? I don’t want to spoil her surprise. I got her a diaper disposal system. Isn’t that an amazing invention? I never had kids, but when I saw this thing, I just knew it had to be the perfect gift.”

  The women chatted happily and greeted each later arrival, until finally it was the guest of honor, herself.

  “Naidenne! You look radiant! Come sit by me!” a mix of voices called out when she entered the room.

  “The decorations look so elegant, Eskaletha. Thank you all so much for doing this for me,” Naidenne said before sitting down.

  “I think everyone’s here, now, so we can begin,” Eskaletha pronounced. “Olivette, will you read the minutes of the last First Ladies Club baby shower?”

  Olivette, flustered for a moment, caught the twinkle in Eskaletha’s eye and admitted, “There are no minutes, Madam President. This is our first ever club shower.”

  “Exactly, so, in lieu of the minutes, I will make a speech,” she replied to a chorus of good-natured groans and protests.

  “When we established this club, we all knew how isolating life can be for a pastor’s wife, especially in a small town like ours. But I had no idea just how much I needed the companionship and support of other women who share the same blessings and trials I do. This past week, when Deenie went missing, it brought home to me exactly what this group has come to mean in my life. I think we all share that feeling. We are more than the sum of our members, but each one of us is so necessary to all of us. I’m afraid I’m not saying this as well as I would like to…This baby shower is also a ‘thank you’ celebration for Naidenne.”

  Turning to Naidenne she went on, “It was your idea to start the First Ladies Club and it was you who showed us how much we have come to depend on each other. You, Naidenne Davidson, make a difference to me and to all of us. We are so glad you are here.”

  Smiling through the tears rolling down her cheeks, Naidenne got up and hugged Eskaletha.

  “Thank you, thank you all. You mean the world to me, too,” she said and sat back down.

  “And now, the presents!” Judy exclaimed. “I’ll help you unwrap.”

  *

  Carver Schramm was peering through the windows of the house he had spied from the hill above. He was disgusted to find the place empty. No furniture, so no food.

  Turning away to climb back up to the trail, he heard an approaching car.

  It was coming quickly up the drive and there was no way he could cross the open field between the house and the trees before it was in view. There were no outbuildings to hide in and, possibly thanks to the owner’s fire safety tactics, there weren’t even any concealing shrubs near to the house.

  Frantic to get out of sight, he kicked in the back door, ran through the house and hunkered down beneath the front windows, hoping the people in the car were simply lost and would leave once they realized the place was empty.

  *

  “Well, here it is. What do you think, so far?” Len asked Rosamund.

  “It took an awfully long time to get here, don’t you think? I’m not sure I even want to look inside,” she replied.

  “What do you mean? Why not?”

  “If it is really wonderful inside, I will be torn between having a lovely house with a long commute and being close to Bannoch in a house which might not be as nice. I hate hard choices, like that.”

  “You are a silly goose, sometimes, but I love you. Do you want to get out and look around, or wait for the real estate lady?”

  “I think I’d like to get out and stretch my legs and get an idea of what the grounds are like.”

  “As you wish, my lady,” Len replied, coming around the car and opening Rosamund’s door.

  *

  “Thanks, Agent Phelps. I’ll radio my men in the area to rendezvous with you,” Detective Rasmussen put down the phone and turned to his sergeant.

  “A hunter in the woods up above the old Williamson’s place on East Beaver Creek Road said his dog almost flushed a fellow who looked like our suspect. When he caught a glimpse of the guy, he called his dog off and hightailed it. Smart man.”

  “Is the FBI team going there to check it out?”

  “Yes, call our nearest search team to head over there to give them back up.”

  *

  Schramm saw a pair of rich-looking wrinklies pull up in a silver Cadillac sedan. They just sat there for a few moments, giving him hope they were checking directions on a map, or something, and would soon leave.

  When they got out of their car, he slunk back down and tried frantically to work out a plan.

  This could be the break he’d been hoping for. With a car like that, he would be long gone before this privileged old party was ever missed. Killing people like them would be just that extra bit of recreation he’d been looking for.

  Carver stood beside the window, hidden by the drapes, and watched as Rosamund and Len wandered around the front yard. When they began walking toward the back, he hurried into the kitchen.

  When they opened the back door, he and his faithful blade would be happy to give them a special welcome.

  Chapter Thirty

  Rosamund loved the views from the front and side of the house she and Len were viewing. She tried to picture the two of them living here surrounded by the woods and mountains.

  It was very quiet and so peaceful.

  When their stroll around the grounds reached the backyard, she was pleased to find a lovely sunny patch which would be perfect for her vegetable and herb gardens.

  This house was becoming a real possibility, despite its remoteness.

  “Hey, someone’s been vandalizing the place, even way out here. I guess there’s nowhere safe from miscreants and vagabonds, these days,” Len said when he noticed the broken lock on the back door.

  He began to walk over to the door to check the extent of the damage.

  “I suppose not,” Rosamund replied. “It’s hard to imagine anyone wanting to do evil deeds in this peaceful valley, though, isn’t it? Look at these woods. How much of the hillside comes with the house, do you know?”

  Len changed course to join his wife at the rear of the property, where he put an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

  “You always see the beauty in things, Rosie. That is one of the reasons I love you.”

  The couple stood together listening to the wind in the trees and just soaking up the serene atmosphere, until they heard another car approaching.

  “That must be the realtor. Guess we’d better get out front and greet her,” Len said.

  A large black SUV pulled up behind Len’s car and two men in FBI jackets stepped out.

  As Len and Rosamund rounded the front of the house, the driver called out.

  “Special Agent Phelps. You people live here?” he said, flashing his identification

  “Why, no. We are here to view the property for potential purchase,” Len replied, walking up to the men, as Rosamund stepped onto the front porch of the house.

  “Have you seen anyone hanging around here?” the agent asked.

  “No. But I noticed the lock on the back door is broken. I was about to check it out when we heard your car.”

  “You didn’t go inside, then?”

  “No. Wh
at’s this all about?” Len asked.

  “We’re looking for an escaped prisoner. He was reportedly seen in this vicinity recently.”

  “Is this the same man who kidnapped the pastor’s wife in Bannoch?”

  “That hasn’t been established. You folks should head on home, now, and see this house some other time. If our guy’s here, you don’t want to have anything to do with him.”

  Schramm had heard the car, too, and crept back to the front window.

  When he saw the FBI men, he was frantic.

  As Rosamund stepped nearer to the entrance door, he knew what he had to do. He jerked the door open and pulled her inside, holding his knife to her throat.

  Rosamund screamed, Schramm hit her with the hilt of his knife, and she fell to the floor inside the house as he slammed the door.

  The FBI agents jumped into action at the sound of her scream.

  Len started toward the house, but Agent Phelps stopped him and ordered him to get into the SUV and stay there.

  The other agent got on the radio to call for backup and a hostage negotiations team, while Phelps crept up on the house to try to see inside.

  Len sat in the agents’ vehicle, shaking and gray-faced, praying for his wife’s safety.

  He was stunned by the sudden transition from peace to horror.

  “How could this happen? I never should have brought Rose out here,” he mumbled to himself between prayerful pleas for her protection and safe return to his side.

  Two sheriff’s units pulled into the driveway behind the agents’ car and, within what seemed either hours or minutes, a helicopter swooped overhead.

  Finally remembering his cell phone, Len called Scott. He needed his pastor and Rosamund needed all the prayers she could get.

  *

  “That party was such fun, Bunny! Thanks for bringing me home. I told Scott I’d call him for a ride when it was over, but I’m happy not to need to bother him,” Naidenne said as she and Bunny hauled another load of baby shower loot into the parsonage.

  “I think that’s got it all,” Bunny replied, putting down an armload of packages. “You were given so many nice things. Your little girl is going to be all set.”

  “Everyone was so generous. And I love that diaper gadget you gave us. It’s not only practical, but I adore the pistachio color. All the other gifts were pink. I’ve just decided the nursery will be pistachio green set off with touches of pink.”

  “I’m so happy you like it. Anything else I can help you with before I go?”

  “Don’t go, yet. Let’s sit and have a really good talk. We haven’t often been alone since you got here, and there’s so much to catch up on.”

  “I’d love to, but that sounds like Scott’s car, if I’m not mistaken. I guess our tête-à-tête will have to wait,” Bunny said.

  Scott entered, greeted the two women and kissed his wife.

  “Wow, you made quite a haul! Does one little baby really need all that?” he asked, only half in jest. “What an embarrassment of riches.”

  “That reminds me, Scott. I’ve been wanting to tell you something,” Bunny said.

  Scott sat on the sofa next to Naidenne.

  “Shoot!”

  “Well, you are aware that Max was fairly well-to-do, financially, right?”

  Scott and Naidenne nodded and Bunny continued.

  “After he died, I discovered he was heavily invested in lots of commercial properties in Houston, as well as other investments. Then, there’s the life insurance and all and, well, it really is sort of embarrassing to say it out loud, but I am what is known as a woman of some means. Heck! I’m filthy rich, is what I am.”

  Scott and Naidenne simply stared, looking dumbfounded.

  “Well, say something!” Bunny cried.

  “Is this a joke?” Scott asked.

  “I’m afraid not. If I never even lift a finger, I can live on the interest payments, and live very well, indeed, for the rest of my life…even if I live to be one hundred or more.”

  “But that’s wonderful, Bunny!” Naidenne said. “We’re so happy for you.”

  “I think you can be happy for yourselves, too, just a little.”

  “What do you mean?” Scott asked.

  “Shirley and I were chatting at the shower and she told me about the church needing a new roof,” Bunny said, reaching for her handbag on the floor at her feet and pulling out a slip of paper.

  “Here,” she handed the paper to Scott. “That should cover a new roof on a building of the church’s size, according to what my business manager told me when I called him. If you need more, just let me know.”

  “But you can’t do this. It’s too much,” Scott protested.

  “Sure, I can. You can’t stop me. If God wants me to have this kind of money, there has to be a reason. So, I’m going to spend it for His glory, every chance I get.”

  “This is so generous. How can we thank you?” Naidenne said.

  “Don’t thank me, thank God. I didn’t do a thing to earn this money, the best I can do is spend it wisely. Oh, and I’m switching my tithe to the Bannoch Community Fellowship, until I can decide where I’m going to settle. You can count on a check every month, from now on. Oh, and a one-time ‘catch-up’ check, too. I hadn’t begun to tithe from the inheritance to the local Houston church we attended, yet, so you’ll get that, too.”

  “Bunny, I’m overwhelmed,” Scott said.

  “I expect the Board will want to negotiate a new compensation package for you, now. At least, I will include a little suggestion to that effect along with the ‘catch-up check’. I don’t usually approve of folks tacking strings on gifts, especially to the church, but I’m going to make an exception, just this once.”

  Naidenne gave Bunny a one-armed hug, laughing.

  “This is even better than the diaper disposal,” she chuckled.

  “I’m so happy to be able to do this for two people I really care about. Now, I’m afraid I’ve grown weary in my good works and need to get home and rest on my laurels…to mix metaphors and sins,” Bunny quipped and left her friends still shaking their heads in amazement at the gift she had just given them and their church.

  Naidenne was humming to herself and starting to sort her gifts when the phone rang.

  Scott answered, listened for a moment and cried, “What? Rosie? Oh, no!”

  *

  Scott knocked on the passenger window of the FBI SUV to get his brother-in-law’s attention.

  Len sat without responding, but Scott’s continuous rapping finally got through to him and he turned toward the sound as if in a trance.

  “Hey, Len. Let me in,” Scott said.

  Len slowly unlocked the door and Scott slipped onto the seat.

  “How are you holding up?” he asked.

  “It’s all my fault. I finally had her, and now I’ve lost her, just because I always need to have my own way,” Len said.

  “You haven’t lost her. I spoke to one of the deputies when they stopped me down at the road. This guy needs Rose as a hostage. He’s not going to hurt her.”

  “She screamed and he hit her. I saw it. He hit her so hard. What can I do, Scott? I can’t lose her!”

  “Try to calm down. You can’t help her if you fall apart. I want to pray with you, then I’m going to see if one of the FBI people will tell me what’s happening and how they are planning to get Rosamund back to us, safe and sound.”

  When Scott approached Agent Phelps, the agent was speaking on the phone. He finished the call and turned to Scott.

  “What are you doing here? This is no place for civilians,” he said.

  “I’m the brother of that woman in there, but I’m also the chaplain for the local Sheriff’s department. I know enough to stay out of the way. I just wanted to know if you can give me any information I can share with my brother-in-law. He’s in a pretty bad way, worrying about his wife.”

  “I’ll tell you this. Our hostage negotiator is here, now. He’s going to try to get a co
nversation going with the suspect. We are going to do our best to end this without anyone, especially your sister, getting hurt. Now get back there and stay in the car, or I’ll have to force you to leave.”

  “Got it,” Scott said and returned to the SUV.

  With no telephone in the house, the negotiator was forced to use a bullhorn as he tried to get a response from Schramm.

  “Attention, you in the house. We know who you are. You cannot get away, so let the woman go, unharmed, and come out with your hands up. Any resistance will only make it worse, Carver Schramm.”

  Inside the house, Carver was jolted to hear his name. Maybe there was no way out, but he was not going back to prison, not without a fight.

  Rosamund moaned and Schramm jerked her to her feet. Holding her as a shield, with his knife to her throat, he stepped up to the window and began to shout.

  “Let me out of here or the woman dies. Give me safe passage to Canada…and a million dollars, or she dies. Do it in one hour, or she dies.”

  He pulled her away from the window but continued to hold her tightly as they stood out of sight waiting for the response.

  Len heard the demands. Turning to Scott he declared, “Let him take my car! He can give me my Rose and drive the car away to Canada.”

  “The authorities aren’t going to let him leave here, Len. And he would never let her go before getting to Canada, if they did. She’s his insurance. We have to let these guys take care of it. They know what they are doing.”

  Len put his head in his hands, rocking back and forth, while Scott patted his back.

  “We’ve talked it over, Schramm. You let the woman come out and we’ll try to work out a deal for you,” the negotiator called.

  Schramm screamed out, “No way, Fed. I want a car and a million bucks or the old bitch dies!”

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Naidenne called the prayer chain as soon as Scott left the parsonage. Next, she called her best friends, Shirley, Bunny and the First Ladies Club.

  These women surrounded her, now, offering prayer, comfort and distraction from the worry about her sister-in-law.